HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 cc111-2W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the change in the number of Probation Service staff between 1994 and the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [90587]

Mr. George Howarth

At the end of 1994, there were 16,405 probation staff, of whom 7,776 were probation officers. At the end of December 1998, there were 14,613 probation staff, of whom 7,191 were probation officers. The figures given here are full-time equivalents.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the current number of vacancies for Probation Officers in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [90586]

Mr. George Howarth

Information on probation officer vacancies is not collected centrally. However, information about the staffing requirements of the Probation Service will be generated by the work force planning survey currently being undertaken by the Home Office with the Association of Chief Officers of Probation and the Central Probation Council.